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Issue: Vol. 5719 No. 3: 13 Nov. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-11-13
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5719.3.4
Page range: 359-372
Abstract views: 83
PDF downloaded: 10

A morphological and molecular reassessment of Zvenella acutangulata and Z. yunnana (Orthoptera): evidence for allopatric distribution (Orthoptera: Oecanthidae: Podoscirtinae)

School of Life Sciences; East China Normal University; Shanghai 200241; China; Zhejiang Zhoushan Island Ecosystem Observation and Research Station; School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences; East China Normal University; 200241; Shanghai; China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Optics; Chongqing Institute of East China Normal University; 401120; Chongqing; China
School of Life Sciences; East China Normal University; Shanghai 200241; China
School of Life Sciences; East China Normal University; Shanghai 200241; China
School of Life Sciences; East China Normal University; Shanghai 200241; China
School of Life Sciences; East China Normal University; Shanghai 200241; China
School of Life Sciences; East China Normal University; Shanghai 200241; China
School of Life Sciences; East China Normal University; Shanghai 200241; China
Orthoptera Zvenella China taxonomy revision crickets

Abstract

The genus Zvenella Gorochov, 1988 is represented in China by three described species: Z. acutangulata Xia, Liu & Yin, 1991, Z. yunnana Gorochov, 1985, and Z. geniculata Chopard, 1931. Of these, Z. acutangulata and Z. yunnana are morphologically similar and their distinction is challenging. To address this, we performed a comprehensive analysis combining molecular and morphological data. Our findings demonstrate that while the two species can be reliably differentiated by male genital morphology and ovipositor length, they cannot be distinguished by femur length or ocelli size. Notably, our data reveal a geographic barrier separating their ranges, indicating an allopatric distribution pattern, which is contrary to previous studies.

 

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How to Cite

He, Z.Q., Zeng, L.F., Yuan, L., Chen, L., Liu, D.B., Zhou, Y.L. & Wei, S.F. (2025) A morphological and molecular reassessment of Zvenella acutangulata and Z. yunnana (Orthoptera): evidence for allopatric distribution (Orthoptera: Oecanthidae: Podoscirtinae). Zootaxa, 5719 (3), 359–372. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5719.3.4